The news wire said the financially flagging company might sell its patents and that the "outright sale" of the company was "not the main option."

The story provoked AMD to issue a statement saying its "board and management believe that the strategy the company is currently pursuing to drive long-term growth by leveraging AMD's highly differentiated technology assets is the right approach to enhance shareholder value. AMD is not actively pursuing a sale of the company or significant assets at this time."

It did not explain why it hired the bank.

Observers figure the company's sale could be difficult.

Last week AMD added a second representative of Mubadala Development Company to its board. The Abu Dhabi sovereign wealth fund owns close to 20% of AMD and is obviously broadening its oversight.

Last month AMD said its Q4 prospects are below expectations because of weak across-the-board demand and that it would cut 15% of its staff, provoking fears it could run out of the money needed to operate.

About Maureen O'GaraMaureen O'Gara the most read technology reporter for the past 20 years, is the Cloud Computing and Virtualization News Desk editor of SYS-CON Media. She is the publisher of famous "Billygrams" and the editor-in-chief of "Client/Server News" for more than a decade. One of the most respected technology reporters in the business, Maureen can be reached by email at maureen(at)sys-con.com or paperboy(at)g2news.com, and by phone at 516 759-7025. Twitter: @MaureenOGara